Life-saving device.



H. C. BRUBACKER.

LIFE SAVING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED 00T. 9, 1914.

11,1 33,924, Patented Mar. 30, 1915.

H. C. BRUBACKER.

'l LIFE SAVING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED 00T. 9, 1914.

Patented Mar. 30, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

l N110. HfO-fB/ulfac kar.

' H. C. BRUBACKER.

LIFE SAYING DEVICE. APPLIOATION FILED 00T. e, 1914..

1,133,924. patented Mar. 30, 1915.

8 SHEETSSEEET 3.

HOWARD C. BRU'BACKER, 0F SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO, CANADA.

LIFE-savme DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 30, 1915.

Application led October 9, 1914.' Serial No. 865,903.

T all whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, HOWARD C. BRU- i Backen, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Sault SteJMarie, in the Province of Ontar1o, Dom1n1on of Canada, have invented certam new and useful Improvements in Life-Saving Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in life saving devices and more particularly to that type of devices that may be worn as garments and are particularly designed for aviators, said garment being arranged in the form of a parachute whereby an aviator or the like in case of an accident may have a safe descent. i

Another object ofimportance is to provide a device of the character described that is formed in the nature of suit or garment to be worn by aviators and the like and is provided with a loosely 'overhanging skirt portion arranged to provide a parachute whereby a safe descent from aeroplanes, ships and buildings in case of fire may be made by persons seeking escape. Y

Another object is to provide a 'devica of the character described that may be worn without annoyance, will prove comfortable,v

is reliable and efficient in operation and inexpensive to manufacture.

The above and additional objects are accomplished by such means as are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, described in the following specification and then more particularly pointed out as claimed.

With reference to the drawings, wherein. I have illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention as it is reduced to practice, and throughout the several views of which similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved safety device showing frame work of the parachute portion, Fig. 2 is a front elevation partly broken away, Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the device as it would appear when in extended and operative position, Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through the device asapplied to the wearer, Fig. 5 is a detail side elevation of one of the hooks for securing the stay elements, Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail sectionalview taken on the line 6-6 ments boot portions 5 attached thereto and may be of Fig. 4, Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of a modified form of safety device, Fig. 8 is a top plan view of an attaching member used in connection with the modified form, Fig. 9 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken through the attaching member, Fig. 1() is a transverse sectional view, and Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of theadjusting means for the stay ropes.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, the numeral 1 designates as an entirety a body portion of my improved safety device that is formed of some suitable flexible fabric and comprises a waist portion 2 and trousers 3 formed integral therewith. The waist and trousers are designed to fit the wearer snugly and saidbody portion is slit down the front and designed to be closed by buttons 4 or other suitable fastening ele- The bottoms of thetrousers 3 have formed oflany suitable character. A band 6 is secure about the waist portion of the body and is ,provided with a suitable buckle 7 to effect adjustment thereof. A bard 8 is arranged above the band 6 around the body and is provided with a plurality of hooks 9 attached thereto and which are for a purpose to be later more fully described. This band 9 is provided with a buckle 10 so that adjustment thereof may be had.

A circular flexible and preferably fabric apron or ovcrhanging portion 11 provided with a central elongated opening 12 to accommodate the waist portion 2 of the body 1, is mounted upon the body so that it is disposed approximately in line with the armpits ofthe Waist 2. This portion 11 normally hangs downwardly upon the body 1 as would an apron and is arranged to be extended outwardly approximately at right angles to the body to act as a parachute.

This apron 11 is reinforced by radially exl tending strips 13 which are secured upon the inner face thereof and extend from the center opening 12 to the periphery thereof. A peripheral strip 14 is provided to strengthen the apron and a circular strip 15 provided upon the inner face thereof in spaced relation to the outer strip 14. y

As a means to hold the apron 11 when in extended position so that it is disposed approximately at right angles to the body and is approximately concavofconvex in shape and serves as a parachute, I providea plurality of inner stay elements 16 and outer similar elements 17 which are secured at their lower ends as at 18 to the boot portions 5 of the body vand at their upper ends are secured to the apron 1l. The outer stays 17 are secured as at 19v adjacent lto the periphery of the apron 11 and the inner stays are secured in line with the annular strip 15. Divergent strips 2O are secured to the stays 16 intermediate the ends thereof and to the apron on opposite sides of each stay 16. lt will be readily seen that the apron 11 is limited inits upward movement and'derangement of thedevice is prevented.

n, A preferably isinglass or other transparent strip 21 is mounted in the apron 11 immediately in front of the waist 2 so that the wearer may see below him in Hight.

It will be readily seen with reference to the foregoing description and accompanying drawings that I have provided a simple, reliable and effective safety device-that yis particularly designed for aviators and may be -worn with considerable comfort. In case of yan accident, an aviator equipped with my improved safety'device may make a safe descent from the aeroplane. The apron l1 will readily open upon the dropping of the wearer and in being positioned under the arms or sleeves of the waist 2 may be held in proper position-lin combination with the stay elements 16 and 17. The hooks 9 carried by the upper belt 8 are arranged to receive the stay elements 16 and 17 when the apron is in down position as shown in Fig. 4 so that entanglement thereof with parts of the aeroplane is obviated.

Referring to Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 wherein the modied form of my invention is illustrated and the device is adapted for use without the employment of a special suit as in the preferred form, the numeral 22 designates as an entirety, the umbrella like body portion of the modified form which is similar to the body portion of the preferred form but instead of being operatively connected with a garment, it is provided with a central aperture about which is placed an adjusting belt 23 provided with a buckle 24. The belt 23 is secured about the periphery of the opening in the body portion 22 and provides means for the ready attachment of the device upon the wearer. A plurality of stay wires or like elements 25 are connected with the body portionor apron 22 in a manner similar to that of the wires or stays 16 and 17.

Mounted upon the stay wires 25 are adjusting frogs 26 similar to those used in connection with tent stay ropes and which provide a loop 27 at the lower end of each stay element. v

As a means Ior attaching the stay element 25 to the pedal extremities of the wire, I provide attaching means designated 28 as an entirety which consists of approximately locking engagement withl the tube 36.

an L-shap'ed' foot member 29. An instep strap 30 is secured to the member 29 and is provided with an adjusting buckle 31. This strap 30 is designed to pass over the foot about the instep thereof. Secured by suitable'fastening elements to the upper end 4of the vertical portion of the L-shaped member 29 is attaching banddesignated -32 as an entirety. The band 32 comprises a pair of arcuate metallic members 33 and 34 that are hinged to'l one' another as at 35. The free ends of the members 33 and 34 are designed to be locked with one'. another by locking means which will be later morefully described. Mounted upon the free end of the member 33 `is an arcuate tubular member 36 that is provided intermediate its ends and upon-its outer side with an opening 37. The member 36 is approximatelyrectangular in cross section and is designed to abut the free end of the member 34. Carried by the arcuate member l34 is a spring catch 38 provided with an enlarged head 39 on its freeend.' In the outer end of the head 39 a notch 40 is formed to4 receive one edge of the opening 37. The spring/catch 38 is secured by suitable fastening elements l39 to the member 34. It will be )readily seen that when. the member 38 is inserted into the tube 36, the head 39 will spring into position into the opening. 37 and receive the tube 36 at one edge of the opening in the slot or notch 40 in said head. By forcing the head 39 inwardly the catch l38l may be removed from hands of the worwmen or others handling Ihe member 32 is provided at spaced points with grooved rings 41 that are mounted thereon and which' are designed to receive the loops 27 so as to hold the stay elementsA 105 25 upon the attaching ring or member 32.

Wlth reference to the foregoing description ofthe accompanying drawings, it will be readily seen that I have provided a modi- Vlied form of life saving device which may be readily and easily attached upon the wearer wlthout necessitating the employment of a special garment or shoes as in the preferred form.

In practice, I havefound that the form of my invention, illustrated in the drawings, and referred to in the` above description, as the 'preferred embodiment, is the most eilicient and practical; yet realizing that the conditlons concurrent with the adoption of my device will necessarily vary, I desire to emphasize the fact that various minor changes in details of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts 'may be resorted to, when required, without sacriic- `ing any of the advantages of my invention, as set forth.

What is claimed is 1. A life saving device consisting of a garment arranged to closely fit the body of and lower ends the wearer and a 4flexible :overhanging and relatively wide circular band secured to the body portion at a point adjacent to the upper end thereof and beneath the arms of the wearer and ieXible elements secured to the lower end of the body portion and to lthe periphery of the overhanging band to limit I the upward movement of the band.

2. A safety device consisting of a body portion comprising ltrousers and waist joined integrally, a flexible circular overhanging portion secured adjacent-to the upper end of the waist so as to be disposed beneath the armpits ofthe wearer and exible elements secured to the overhanging portion and lower ends of the trousers.

3. A safety device consisting ofv a body portion comprising trousers and waist joined integrally, a eXible circular overhanging portion secured adjacent to the upper end of the waist so as to be disposed beneath the armpits of the wearer, flexible elements securedto the overhanging portion of the trousers, and said overhanging portion being transparent at a point in front of the wearer and intermediate its inner and outer edges.

4.. A life saving device consisting of a body portion formed in the nature of trousers and coat to closely it the body of the wearer, a flexible overhanging portion of circular form secured about the upper edge of the body portion and arranged to be moved outwardly approximately at vright angles thereto to provide a parachute, a transparent' strip mounted within the front of said Hexiblemverhanging portion at a point in front thereof to enable the wearer to see beneath him and means securing the overhanging portion tothe lower portion of the body portion to limit the upward movement thereof.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature in. presence of two wltnesses.

HOWARD C. BRUBACKER. Witnesses:

JN0. A. COLWELL,

MARY GLADYS COLWELL. 

